Odessa among best small towns

While residents may consider Odessa’s most distinguishing attribute to be its founding by Germans from Russia, it also has a strong ranching presence, which has now been recognized by a national publication.

The April/May 2012 issue of American Cowboy magazine features a cover article naming “The 20 Best Rural Towns in the West.” The towns are categorized by region: The Rockies; California/Nevada; Northwest; Southwest; Texas/Oklahoma; and The Great Plains.

The Northwest category includes three small towns in the top 20: Jordan Valley, Ore., Winthrop, Wash. and Riggins, Idaho. Odessa garnered o...